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PRESIDENCY WORK PROGRAMME

The Council held an open debate - televised to the press and wider public - on the Presidency work programme for the first half of 1998.

In his introductory remarks, the President of the Council highlighted the main challenges for the months to come : conduct the work on the issue of EMU so as to ensure the best possible prospects for success, take forward the internal policy reforms under Agenda 2000 and, in the run up to the Cardiff summit in June, review the action plans which Member States are preparing to tackle unemployment and break down the barriers to the single market to provide a stimulus to EU economies and to increase the number of jobs.

The programme also gives priority to addressing the other great worries in the lives of people throughout the EU such as the growth in crime and the trade in drugs and concerning, in particular, the quality of the environment.

The President stressed that in the General Affairs Council, two particular tasks will be of vital importance : firstly, to get the enlargement process off to a start that gives it the best prospect of coming to a conclusion as soon as possible, in order to definitively correct the divisions in Europe of the last 50 years and, secondly, making a reality out of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

Following the President's presentation, the President of the Commission gave an overview of the Commission's intentions with reference to the main issues of the Presidency work programme.

During the open debate Ministers commented on the priorities of the Presidency and gave their full support to work for the implementation of this ambitious programme.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM IRAQ AND THE NEIGHBOURING REGION

The Council approved a 46 point action plan to tackle the growing problem of the influx of migrants from Iraq and the neighbouring region, in accordance with the urgent recommendation of the European Council in Luxembourg on 13-14 December.

In late 1997 Member States reported a significant increase in the number of migrants originating in Iraq and the neighbouring region, many travelling by boat to the EU. Evidence suggests that recent arrivals include an increasing number of ethnic Kurds of Turkish as well as Iraqi nationality, and also a small but growing number of migrants of other nationalities using the same transit routes. Many of the migrants have sought asylum either on first arrival in the EU or in a subsequent Member State. Many are economic migrants but a substantial number is in need of protection. The migrants almost always make use of traffickers, of whom the majority appear to be part of organised crime networks, with contacts within the EU.

The reasons for the influx are complex and unclear: further analysis is required. As far as Iraq is concerned, a combination of political and economic factors appear to be involved: the long-standing rivalry between the two main Kurdish parties in northern Iraq, cross-border operations in the area conducted by Turkish armed forces against the PKK organisation, economic insecurity, and the repressive policies of Saddam Hussein. As far as migration from Turkey is concerned, the long-running conflict in south-east Turkey between the Turkish security forces and the PKK has resulted in a large scale displacement of rural populations and depression of the regional economy.

The EU recognises that a key element in tackling the problem is to establish effective co-operation with the Turkish government, given that most of the migrants transit Turkey or originate from Turkey. Close collaboration with the UNHCR is also essential. The EU recognises the important contribution which humanitarian assistance to northern Iraq has played.

In responding to the influx of migrants, Member States recognise the need to ensure that humanitarian considerations continue to be given proper weight and that the obligations of Member States to provide protection in accordance with international law continue to be honoured. But equally the procedures for seeking and granting asylum should not be open to abuse. An essential element in combating illegal immigration is to ensure equal and consistent controls at the external frontiers of the European Union. Member States also recognise the need to tackle the involvement of organised crime in the trafficking of illegal immigrants.

Against this background, the action plan contains the following main elements:

·. improved analysis of the underlying causes and origins of the influx

·. development of an action-oriented dialogue with the Government of Turkey and with the UNHCR

·. ensuring that humanitarian aid makes an effective contribution, including by ensuring improved NGO access to northern Iraq

·. effective application of asylum procedures to ensure that the humanitarian aspects of this influx are not overlooked

·. preventing abuse of asylum procedures

·. enhanced police co-operation in tackling organised crime

·. implementation of a number of steps to combat illegal immigration in these areas:

- better exchange of information between Member States about migration and asylum

- improved visa issuing procedures and consular co-operation in the issue of visas

- posting of liaison officers and exchange of officials

- effective and consistent border controls

- immediate expulsion of persons illegally present on the territories of the Member States in so far as no right to remain exists.

The Council asked for the action plan to be implemented urgently and in a coherent and co-ordinated way, and for its implementation to be effectively monitored and reviewed. To this end, the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 19 March will review progress on implementing the relevant action points, and the General Affairs Council on 30 March will review overall implementation, taking account of the conclusions of the JHA Council.

Källa